Early industries in the town were iron casting, forging, shipbuilding and woolen mills. Today it is primarily retail business including the Independence Mall with its 100 stores located off Route 3. The town's early history as a part of the Plymouth Colony settled by the Pilgrims has spawned an active historical society. The society maintains the Major John Bradford House for public viewing and for summer brunches on its lawn. Public lands owned by the town on Kingston Bay and on Great Pond afford recreational opportunities. The town’s Recreation Commission provides summer programs for children.

Kingston is located in southeastern Massachusetts, bordered by Plympton on the west, Carver on the southwest, Plymouth on the southeast, Pembroke and Duxbury on the northwest and north, and Plymouth Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Kingston is 33 miles southeast of Boston.